BlackRing

I had an aunt and uncle who, when I was a kid maybe 12, were not well off. They got my brother and I each this toyset that was like make pretend welding. It had a hand tool that, if I remember, let you weld with this soft plastic to make things with the parts in the kit.

It also had a chamber near the nozzle that spun and contained something that made a bunch of sparks.

Well… The thing kept zapping and burning me. Kinda hurt. So, being 12, I complained about it.

And of course, I was an ingrate for not liking the toy they could afford instead of a Lego set or something. The worst of it was I got what my parents meant, my aunt and uncle were kind of ashamed. But it burned me.

Hell I thought it was really cool, and even said so, but I couldn’t keep playing with it due to, you know, my hand being red and kinda cut up.

Just bad times all around.

And no, no one suggested put a glove on, and it did not come with one.

“When the rich rob the poor, it’s called business. When the poor fight back, it’s called violence.”

Prozac and therapy.

Which honestly, is working. If only I arrived at this method sanely, rather than nearly ending it all and winding up in a hospital.

Prozac.

I put a gun to my head, ready to end it all.

Woke up in a hospital. No drugs involved.

I drove myself there. The gun was in the glove compartment. Apparently, I self admitted through ED.

I remember NOTHING from gun to my head to waking up in the hospital.

Not sure if that qualifies as near death, but I think I was.

I am better now. That was years ago, I came close again recently, but this time I have answers about myself and a place to start.

Lilo and Stitch!

Nope. Not normal sounding to me. Even your doctor says it’s not normal if you think about it, he thinks it’s early. As everyone else states, second opinion time.

Everything you listed, I get, but at a mere fraction, save for the swelling, nothing here. Beyond seeing another doctor for a second opinion, it sounds like you’re physically fit, which is more troubling. I am kind of fit, and sometimes my back hurts. What makes it go away? Working out my core muscles in a regimen after a few weeks. Staying active.

I am 40 fwiw, and you sound far worse off than I feel. See another physician.

Can we go out on a limb and say the father is even being sort of abusive here? I mean… Here’s a very dangerous thing that can cause people to die. Go have fun.

I get it isn’t that simple but… I have a kid. I also have guns. My kid wants to learn to shoot one day.

There’s a big heavy door, and a lock. No way for my kid to access them without me. No access.

There’s criticizing another’s parenting choices, and then there’s abuse and I am starting to think this is abusive.

Yes! Yes they should. I’m not sure they can be. Not with so many companies out there.

I work for a company in a location in a modest sized upper Midwest town. It is a decidedly white area. Yet, even with rather easy hiring requirements, the store is whiter than the area by a considerable margin. The GM sees fit to refuse staffing certain departments with women. At all. He’s openly used the n-word on the sales floor. He was called to the mat for that, and even with a history of bigoted activities and remarks, still has a job.

This is only an example. So yes, they should. But they don’t.

I don’t know, I mean an uproar over someone doing something responsible in getting rid of a pet is pretty stupid. You can say all you want, “oh no it ate something boo hoo” but that could have been the wake up call showing them they were not able to or willing to dedicate the time to properly care for the dog.

Maybe the passports were the latest thing and they realized it was their fault they were eaten, cue the soul searching and decision to put it up for adoption.

Seems a lot better and far less controversial then shooting it.

Can we fucking not.

Try to take the time to care for your mental and emotional health when you need to, then, instead of stewing for years and years. I made the mistake of rolling with it, turned 35, and I’m lucky to still be here at 40.

Still struggling. Wish I’d spoken with someone years ago.

Not what they asked for. Duck tape is a brand, and is in my department. Duct tape is in plumbing which also does HVAC products, and is actual foil tape with a peel off backing, actually used for ductwork.

I work retail. People walk up to me like I’m a robot.

“Duck tape??” They just… Bark at me. I have gotten to the point that I refuse to tell them where something is until they treat me like a human being and ask a very simple question, “where’s duck tape?”

Each and every one of the politicians in and adjacent to the democratic party better have one hell of a plan if they’re being this brazen in their calls for him to step back. This is really not good.

No, I can’t. Fucking… Is banana pudding a euphemism for something or has reddit gotten that awful??

Or walking out of the room.

No.

I am a good person with a capacity for kindness. The difference? It’s not reflex.

Nice is the guy waving you through at a stop sign when it’s their turn. Sure there’s good intention, but seriously? No.

That was a wild ride!

Guitar is the only hobby I acquired that never took. I wanted it to take, but did not have the funds to pursue lessons.

I could not get over the beginner hurdles of how to strum, how to really hold the pick, and so forth. If I could have taken lessons or gotten past that I might have learned and still be playing today instead of seeing the case just sitting there collecting dust.